The advantages of equine dentistry

Sunday

Jul 6, 2014 at 9:00 PM

A horse’s teeth never stop growing.Humans don’t have that luxury and in times past, began experiencing periodontal disease in middle age that eventually led to tooth loss. However, as with advanced dental care for humans, innovative dental care has also improved the quality and length of life of our companion and equine friends.Good dental health is vital to your horse’s overall health and well-being. Oral health cannot be separated from the health of the rest of the body. Dental diseases are almost entirely preventable in all species.Because of improved equine health, we are seeing many horses live well and stay active into their 20s and 30s. Research has shown that equine teeth, which are cared for and function well, and have normal grinding patterns, actually wear more slowly and last longer. Horses need regular dental care to help their teeth remain effective for chewing roughage, the equine diet staple.Dental health is essential for the proper functioning of the horse’s digestive system. Being able to chew properly aids digestion and helps prevent chronic colic, choke, weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.Like humans, horses develop two sets of teeth during their lifetime. The first are the deciduous teeth (baby teeth) followed by the permanent teeth, which continue growing. The deciduous teeth are actually caps made up of milk incisors and premolars. The last deciduous teeth erupt around 6 months of age and begin to be replaced by adult teeth around age 2-2 ½.By age 5, most horses have their full set of teeth. Often, young horses become quite uncomfortable as the caps loosen and make chewing more difficult. Horses can shed these teeth on their own, but the discomfort can put them "off their feed" and lead to other digestive and behavior problems. I recommend having young horses examined around age 2 to help remove these caps.An adult male will have up to 44 permanent teeth, including canine or "wolf teeth." An adult female may have between 36-44 teeth, and they do not usually have canine teeth. Canine or "wolf" teeth are most often pulled, as they have shallow roots and are often in a position to interfere with being bitted during training.These permanent teeth are called hypsodont dentition, which means they are high-crowned and have enamel that extends past the gum line. This extra material allows for more wear from chewing roughage.The initial length of the equine tooth is about 4 inches with the crown and root combined. The reserve crown and roots are deeply embedded in the jawbone. Once the baby teeth or caps are gone, a horse’s teeth continue to erupt or grow and are worn down by chewing throughout the lifetime of the horse.An experienced horse person, equine dentist, or veterinarian can usually tell a horse’s age through an oral examination. Historically, certain unsavory horse dealers practiced a procedure called "bishopping" the teeth. This was a procedure where they filed horses’ teeth to make them appear younger, since a horse’s teeth begin to appear more prominent, sort of like buck teeth, as they age.The term "floating" describes a dental technique where the teeth are filed (often with an electric file), so that wear more evenly. Sharp points are also filed, as they can cut into the horse’s mouth and gum line.A dental exam and floating may also reveal abnormalities that can be addressed to prevent more serious problems later. A proper exam will include inspection of the gums, tooth root, dental pulp and the surrounding tissues. Abrasions may also be discovered, along with foreign objects, such as pieces of wood that have become lodged between the teeth or embedded in the gum line. Teeth may also become impacted with food particles that can lead to infection.At the end of the session, the practitioner will most likely perform an occlusal adjustment (adjust the jaw), as it probably will have been moved out of alignment during the floating process.Some common problems that can be addressed during regular maintenance include removal of sharp points, lacerations, retained caps (baby teeth), wolf teeth interference, hooks and ramps making chewing difficult, Pulpitis or endontic exposure (roots), lost or broken teeth, abnormally long teeth, infected teeth or gums, misalignment of the mouth, periodontal pocketing of food, and infection.Annual dental exams are recommended as routine physicals to keep your horse healthy and happy.Dr. Joanna Bronson DVM practices at Bronson Veterinary Services. Information about the clinic can be found at www.Bronsonvetservices.vetstreet.com or www.facebook.com/pages/Bronson-Veterinrary-Services.